Locals reflect on ‘witnessing history'

Monday

Jan 21, 2013 at 10:25 AM

As President Barack Obama is sworn in today for his second term, it will stir a lot of memories for locals who witnessed previous inaugurations.

Kris JohnsonStaff Writer

As President Barack Obama is sworn in today for his second term, it will stir a lot of memories for locals who witnessed previous inaugurations.Watching history is life changing, said local resident Lanesia Daigs, whose family attended Obama's inauguration in 2009.“We had such an amazing time. Bringing my 2-year-old may not have been a good idea to some people, but she witnessed history that day, and she will carry these pictures and memories for the rest of her life,” Daigs said.“Leaving Houma and witnessing all the love and support the president received from such a diverse crowd instead of hate was heartwarming. I will never forget this day as long as I live. Words can never describe the experience,” she added.Daigs said she and her sisters decided the night of the 2008 election that “with or without tickets to the actual event we were going to be in D.C. the day of to witness history in person.”“My sister worked on the campaign in Ohio, so she was able to get my entire family tickets. I booked the flights, and on Christmas morning we gave our daddy, a Martin Luther King Jr. and history fanatic, a letter telling him that he would be attending the inauguration,” she said. “I think it was the best gift we have ever given him.”Other local residents who witnessed an inauguration include Vickie Lorraine, who said she has lasting memories of former President George H. W. Bush being sworn in during 1989.The free passes are usually available within two months of the inauguration date. Anyone can request tickets from their state's U.S. senators and representatives, but the number of tickets given are limited. So some offices have instituted lottery systems to give out tickets.Seeing this as an opportunity, scalpers have been selling inauguration tickets online for up to $2,000 each. Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, a member of the joint congressional committee on inaugural ceremonies, said eBay and Craigslist have agreed to his request to stop scalpers from selling tickets. It's not illegal to sell them, but inauguration tickets that people get from members of Congress are supposed to be free, The Associated Press reported Friday. Today's inauguration will be particularly sentimental for the nation. The ceremony falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day during the 50th anniversary of the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Many events are planned to honor the slain activist and the movement. King's Bible will be used for the swearing-in, and Obama has invited Myrlie Evers-Williams to deliver the invocation. Evers-Williams is the widow of Medgar Evers, a black civil rights activist who was assassinated outside his home in June 1963. . Arlanda Williams, Terrebonne Parish Council member, spent the weekend in Washington participating in the inaugural events. In the week leading up to her departure, Williams said she was very excited and humbled at the opportunity.But Williams said she was not surprised she received tickets to all three inaugural functions — the swearing-in ceremony, inaugural ball and inaugural parade. Williams is Parish Council chairwoman, second vice chair of the 184-member state Democratic Party's executive committee, first chair of the National Association of County Officials and a member of the Democratic National Committee.“In keeping with the spirit of this weekend and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I sent out a (Facebook) request to my more than 1,500 Facebook followers to do an act of kindness so we can find a way to start bridging the gap and really living out the dream. Part of the dream was that we one day walk hand in hand,” Williams said. “As I commemorate Dr. King's vision, I have a great sense of pride to be attending the inauguration of President Obama's second term.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Staff Writer Kris Johnson can be reached at 857-2207 or kris.johnson@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @krisLjo.